Three arrested 'across UK' on suspicion of orchestrating M25 eco protests
15 September 2021, 20:30 | Updated: 16 September 2021, 07:08
Enraged drivers plead with protesters to move out of the road
Three people have been arrested on suspicion of orchestrating the Insulate Britain protests that saw the M25 blocked twice this week, sparking major traffic disruption.
The Metropolitan Police said this evening that the arrests took place "across the country" on Wednesday.
Police from various forces earlier confirmed 71 climate protesters had been arrested after they blocked parts of the M25.
READ MORE: Eco mob brings CHAOS to M25 as cars crash and drivers tell LBC 'we’ll lose our jobs'
Dozens of activists stopped traffic on three sections of Britain's busiest motorway shortly after 8am - the second time in three days - demanding government action on home insulation.
They targeted Junctions 1a and 1b for Dartford, Kent, the main carriageway between Junction 8 at Reigate and Junction 9 at Leatherhead, Surrey, and Junction 23 for South Mimms, Hertfordshire.
Demonstrators sat on the road while stranded motorists beeped their horns. Some protesters had glued themselves to the road.
Videos posted on social media showed angry drivers remonstrating with the activists.
Furious cafe owner refuses to take money from climate protesters
Surrey Police said there had also been a crash, involving multiple vehicles, at Junction 9.
It was "too early in the investigation" to know if the crash was linked to the protests, the force said.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng commented: "These actions are not only highly disruptive to those going to work and transporting vital goods, but are putting lives at risk on a busy motorway.
"Not to mention the resulting traffic delays will only add to vehicle emissions."
AA president Edmund King said: "Whilst most people understand the need to take action on climate change, these motorway blockade tactics are just backfiring as they are alienating the working public stuck in this chaos and subsequently pumping out more emissions."
Insulate Britain protest: Nick Ferrari's take on how police should react
He added: "Essential deliveries, emergency services, people missing hospital and business appointments are all hit by these blockades.
"Hopefully the police will take immediate action to unblock the arteries of Britain."
Surrey Police said it worked with the Metropolitan Police to deal with the protesters, making 32 arrests.
Hertfordshire Police said it arrested 18 people.
Superintendent Adam Willmot said: "Our officers were on the scene within minutes of us being alerted to the protest, and attempted to engage with the group, working to balance the rights of people to protest with the rights of those affected by their presence.
"However, protestors ignored repeated requests from officers to move to a safer and less disruptive location, and alleged that they had glued themselves to the Tarmac, making it clear that their aim was to cause as much disruption as possible."
Man forcibly drags Insulate Britain protestor on M25 near Heathrow
Kent Police said it arrested 21 people for obstructing the highway.
Insulate Britain said 89 of its members took part in the demonstration on Wednesday.
It said in a statement: "We demand credible action now.
"Proper jobs for hundreds of thousands of people to start the first real step - to insulate all the homes of this country - which, pound for pound, gives us the biggest reduction in carbon emissions.
"It is a total no-brainer and yet this government refuses to get on with the job. This is criminal negligence."
A protest by the same group on Monday blocked five junctions of the M25, leading to tens of thousands of drivers being stuck in huge queues of traffic and dozens of arrests.
